BubbleStream

Massimo Marino

TenderMoments

Synopsis

Author Biography

Massimo Marino comes from a scientist background: He spent years at CERN and The Lawrence Berkeley Lab followed by lead positions with Apple, Inc. and the World Economic Forum. He is also partner in a new startup in Geneva for smartphone applications: TAKEALL SA. Massimo currently lives in France and crosses the border with Switzerland multiple times daily.
"Daimones" is based on personal experience and facts with an added "what if" to provide an explanation to current and past events. It is his first novel.
If interested in more details about Massimo Marino, please see his full profile on Linkedin: http://ch.linkedin.com/in/massimomarino
On Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/MassimoMarinoAuthor

Book Excerpt

TenderMoments

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

This is a work of fiction. The names and the characters are fictional. Any resemblance to living or dead individual is purely coincidental.

About the Author

Massimo Marino comes from a scientist background: He spent years at CERN in Switzerland, and at the Lawrence Berkeley Lab in California followed by lead positions with Apple, Inc., and the World Economic Forum.

He is also partner in a new Geneva startup for smartphone applications: TAKEALL SA. Massimo currently lives in France and crosses the border with Switzerland multiple times daily.

Massimo Marino is the author of the "Daimones Trilogy". The first volume, “Daimones”, is published on Amazon and can be found at http://amzn.com/B0083IHV5I

If interested in more details about Massimo Marino, please see his full profile on Linkedin: http://ch.linkedin.com/in/massimomarino

He liked those moments of infinite sweetness, when time seemed suspended. They meant life to him. Cleaning was the hard part, though. Amy loved a pristine house.

***

"MISSING FOR NINE DAYS”

The words took the full width of the newspaper. He nodded to the boy.

"Oh, that's for Johnny, sir. He went missing. No one has seen anything...this is a peaceful county."

"Must be peaceful for Johnny now, too."

The boy looked puzzled; he didn't get the pun.

"Listen. Any motels around?"

"No, sir. We don't want trouble with people coming and goin'. This is a..."

"Peaceful county. Got it."

"That's $32, sir."

***

He hated driving in dreadful weather and that night the weather was crazy. He didn't know the roads either which added to his frustration.

"Fuck!" Water wet his shoulder, a corrosion crack on the roof had just lost its battle against the elements. He needed to change car, not just his life.

He saw the rusty mailbox in a lucky blink. He hadn't seen any sign of life for miles and he was tired, too. He stopped when he reached the house. The flat wooden cottage had a side barn and it was engulfed in darkness. The door opened and a tall silhouette filled the entire space of its frame.

"Howdy; I think I'm lost. And the weather isn't helping..."

The tall man didn't react. A long awkward moment, time dangling like that in a bad voting system. He stepped forward.

"I could spend the night...maybe in the barn?” He pointed to the car. “Roof's leaking...”

He couldn't see the man's face. The silhouette advanced and he saw the man was smiling. Good, smiling is always good.

"Sure...that's nothing," the man said, waving to the pitch-dark and rainy sky. "But it will get worse. Get the car in the barn."

***

The living room was neat, with lots of little details only a lovely wife could care for. “So...here for business?” The man asked while they shared a beer.

“Yeah. You married, sir?”

The man looked around and smiled. “Indeed. You can tell, huh? She’s visiting her sister, in San Francisco.” Both men smiled.

“What kind of business?” the man asked.

“I...represent people. I took a detour. I want to reach Boise tomorrow. There might be some business there.”

“Have a meeting?”

“No. Just exploring.”

“I see...” The man paused. “Well, you need to get up early then. You can’t drive fast on these roads.”

“Sure, though the scenery is fantastic.”

“Mountains always are. By Halloween, they are a joy of colors. Amy loves this season.”

“Your wife...” It wasn’t a question, and the man just nodded.

“Let me have you try a specialty of the house,” the man stood up and went to the kitchen. He came back with two glasses.

“Here, taste this. A pure mountain specialty.” It was very strong, but delicious.

***

The pain in his mouth was excruciating. And what was that smell? Someone was cooking. He couldn’t move. Tied up and hung like a pig, his entire body was spinning. Semi-conscious, he still felt the blade violating his neck. Right below his ear, then pulled out with force, cutting into one of his carotid arteries.

***

The county sheriff knocked on the door. It was pouring rain again.

“Hi, Doug.”

“Sheriff.”

“I know I’m wasting my time but have you seen a tourist driving around here these days?”

“A tourist? You gotta be kidding.”

“Yeah...”

“Hey, before you go, I have tongue and kidney pudding. Killed a pig this week.”

He loved those moments of infinite sweetness when hearts slowly stop and lives fade, trembling under his hand like a candle’s flame in an evening breeze. Cleaning was the hard part, though. Amy loved a pristine house.